by Jennee Thompson

Created on: May 19, 2010

Most people have a good life. There is always strain, drama and other battles that are trudged through, but over all, life isn’t that hard.

For most people.

And then there are those that have stories of survival, those that have seen evil in the eye of the beholder, those that are tormented because they are alive.

People like Roy Hallums.

Buried Alive is Roy Hallums story of his kidnapping while he was working in Iraq. For 311 days, he wore a blindfold, had his hands tied, and was barefoot. This is just the sugar coated version. However, in the account of his visit to those dark days, (literally dark, he was hidden underground in a small cellar for majority of that time) he shares thoughts and fears that keep him alive during his imprisonment.

The book starts out with an introduction by Dan O’Shea giving the background facts about the war in Iraq, and the frequent kidnapping cases. The Arab Proverb states “Victory is gained not by the number killed but by the number frightened.” And this is the tactic that was and is still used during this war.

Even though Roy mostly just laid still all day long, and rarely spoke to the others that were being held captive, his story is extremely moving. I was vaguely aware that the United States will not pay ransom for Americans that are kidnapped. The only hope is rescue. And Roy held on to that hope for 10 months, and it eventually happened.

I was really amused that while Roy was being tortured and mistreated, it was the small things in life that got to him the most. Small comments like the guy beside him was always praying or snoring drove him more crazy than the beatings and threats he received.

The book also covers how his family reacted to his kidnapping and everything they did to help Roy.  They took the risk and approached news stations to get the word out that their dad was missing.  Even bloggers got involved and helped stir the movement of awareness.

Since his unfortunate fate, I am convinced that every time that Roy sees an American flag, he takes a moment to be grateful for his life, and for the special forces that never stopped searching for him. And maybe, every American should respond the same way every time an American flag appears. Our country fights for us, and we should fight for her! Stay patriotic.

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